NEW DELHI: India is making waves in green transport with a massive boost in water cargo movement, increasing the number of national waterways from just five in 2015 to a whopping 111. This 22-fold leap aims to make cargo transportation more eco-friendly, cutting pollution compared to road and rail options.
Inland water transport saw record-breaking cargo traffic of 145.5 million metric tonnes during the 2024-25 financial year, ending March 31. That’s a major shift towards sustainable logistics, with vessels now including hydrogen-powered boats and hybrid electric catamarans.
Chairman of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Vijay Kumar, said the agency is steering India towards cleaner transport by investing in tech upgrades like the National River Information System, which offers real-time navigation support, and a dedicated online portal for inland water updates.
The big push aligns with India’s Maritime India Vision 2030, which aims to raise inland freight movement to 200 million metric tonnes in five years and to 500 million metric tonnes by 2047—India’s 100th year of independence.
The IWAI, created in 1986, has been central to this transformation. But it’s the expansion since 2015 that marks a turning point in India’s efforts to promote cost-effective, low-emission cargo movement.
This green shift doesn’t just ease the strain on roads and rails—it’s also a nod to global trends in climate-conscious infrastructure. With over 100 waterways now in play, India is turning its rivers into highways for the future.
